بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

((وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ))

"And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy." [Surah al-Buruj: 85:8]

We stand today outside the embassy of Uzbekistan. We stand outside the representatives of the government of Islam Karimov, the ruler of Uzbekistan. Karimov, hates Islam and hates those who call others to Islam. So his regime has arrested, tortured, assassinated and imprisoned tens of thousands of Muslims in Uzbekistan. And for the last two decades, amongst them, we have seen mass arrests of members of Hizb ut Tahrir since the emergence of the work of the party in that noble Islamic land. While the world knows that the Hizb does not undertake violent actions when calling people to re-establish the Islamic way of life and the Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashidah, yet he has continued to fight the party and has now detained over 8,000 from the party. The dictator Karimov knows this, but his hatred of Islam made him spiteful and hostile so he fights all who call to Islam, especially if the call is political.

Karimov does not only order the imprisonment of sincere Muslims who call for Islam, he has also ordered the courts to issue them with harsh punishments. Recently his regime arrested 70 Muslims; and some imprisoned on charges associated with Hizb ut Tahrir that include:

-        Ahrar Bin Muhammad Jan Abdalrahmanov, a teacher at the School of Economics - 6 years imprisonment

-        Ilham, a hospital pharmacist - 10 years imprisonment

-        Ali Sher Muhammad Jan Mu'ammar Zaiev, a Services worker - 10 years imprisonment

-        Zumurrud Bint Issa Jan Omarkolova - mother of three children - 6 years imprisonment

In addition, those who are released after their sentences are sometimes held in jail as a way to pressure them to stop them working with Hizb ut Tahrir and calling for Islam after their release. Many refuse seeking the pleasure of Allah (swt) instead of obeying the tyrant. Many in the jails are tortured to death and many scholars and sincere Muslims from different groups are arrested and assassinated as part of Karimov's fight against Islam. Subhan'Allah, despite all this, we continue to witness the steadfastness of these Muslims. A steadfastness that shows Karimov that the believers will not be turned away from Islam.

Despite the brutality of the Karimov regime, western governments like the US, UK and others consider him an ally in their so-called war on terror - a war against Islam. They also now consider all who peacefully call for Islam and for the re-establishment of the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashidah and the implementation of Shariah in the Muslim lands as terrorists, a threat to the whole world, so they support various tyrants who are fighting, torturing and killing such people. Will they succeed in this mission? No! Allah, The Almighty, The Truthful says:

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِؤُواْ نُورَ اللّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللّهُ إِلاَّ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ * هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

"They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it." [At-Tawba: 32-33]

So do not be afraid, O Muslims in Uzbekistan or anywhere in the world, Allah is with you, and despite the efforts of the tyrants and their supporters, the Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashidah will be re-established in the Muslim lands by Allah's permission.

Despite Karimov's brutality, despite support for him from various world leaders, we see the Muslims and dawah carriers standing firm in Uzbekistan. This reminds us of the story in Surat al-Buruj in the Qur'an where Allah (swt) reminds us of the people of the ditch who were persecuted simply for believing in Allah (swt). They stood firm and endured patiently and secured a handsome reward and the pleasure of Their Lord (swt) - the wish of the believers.

Karimov feels that the love of Muslims in Uzbekistan and in the world towards Islam is increasing and their Islamic sentiments are growing stronger. This has angered and scared him so he seeks to stem this tide through intimidation, brutality and assassinations. But will detention, torture and murder change people's concepts and convictions? No, it will not! That might silence some of them reluctantly, but it fuels in their hearts the determination to change oppression and the oppressors, this insistence is infectious and is kindled in the hearts of the relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances, and spreads across the country and all over the Muslim lands. We see members of Hizb ut Tahrir and the members of most of the sincere Islamic movements exercise beautiful patience and challenge the injustice of the oppressors, and they will continue to be part of the caravan of the struggling believers who are certain of Allah Almighty's victory.

Allah (swt) says:

﴿إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْأَشْهَادُ﴾

"Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand" [Ghafir: 51]

What is our role?

1)    Those of us here and in the wider Muslim Ummah must raise awareness about Karimov's brutal fight against Islam. We must talk to other Muslims about his torture and persecution of the believers so that they are aware and to have the desire to help their brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan.

2)    We must make dua for our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan and elsewhere. We ask Allah (swt) to strengthen their resolve, shake their oppressors and grant His victory soon.

3)    We should support the political work for the re-establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashidah so that the Muslim lands once again witness the justice of Islam.

Just as the Muslims in Uzbekistan overcame the oppression of the Soviet state against Islam, so one day soon, they will overcome Karimov's brutal fight against Islam - inshaAllah. The Dawah carriers in Uzbekistan have firm belief that Allah's help will come to the believers and that is why we continue to witness their steadfastness, dignity and courage. We are with you and we pray for Allah's victory soon. Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu